Miss New York Chinese Beauty Pageant - Day 3 - Hudson Valley

Day 3 started bright & early with the contestants. We began in Poughkeepsie, NY, which exudes that old town America feel. Just 90 minutes north of NYC, this place feels like it hasn’t been over saturated with a Starbucks on every corner (there are a few). I had that nostalgic feeling driving through the streets of Poughkeepsie, which is home to a plethora of colleges, the oldest continuously operating opera house in America and the home of our 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

The contestants and crew got to cross one of the most scenic walkways one can find in the northeast, the Hudson River Walk. This place had breathtaking views overlooking the Hudson. If you have a chance, visit here around sunset, I am told that the sun sets directly over the Mid-Hudson Bridge.

We then ventured over to the home (and now museum) of one of the most influential and respected presidents of all time, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I have to be honest, I’m a big history geek and walking the halls of this place gave me chills. I rarely am overtaken with emotion, but being here where one of the most powerful presidents of all time actually lived was a unique experience. I definitely plan to come back and bring my family.

Our next stop was Storm King, which is located New Windsor, NY. Storm King is a 500-acre outdoor sculpture museum. One of the exhibits we visited was a collection by Zhang Huan, a Chinese sculptor whose work is on display until November 9th. His work pays tribute to the Chinese Cultural Revolution of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Trust me on this one, this is an amazing sight and well worth the visit.

Our day finally finished watching America’s favorite pastime, a baseball game. The contestants had a chance to see a minor league team – the Tri-City Valley Cats – play. I had a chance to converse with some of the girls and they confided in me that this was the first baseball game they had ever attended. As the trip progresses, I am noticing that this trip is not only an opportunity to visit throughout the state of New York, but to also give us a taste of what makes America so great. Today had me feeling patriotic and proud to be an American. Thank you I Love NY Tourism Bureau and the NY Chinese Beauty Pageant for reminding me why I love this country.